A Brief Resume of the Genus, Dolichos

Abstract

A compilation of the different chemical constituents isolated from the seeds of the different plants of the genus Dolichos, which consists of about 100 species, are presented (till 1998 in chemical abstracts and published papers related to these genera) in this resume. The botanical classification, traditional uses and chemical constituents isolated from some species of this genus with their activities have been discussed. This genus is characterised by various class of compounds, viz. sterols, terpenes, growth regulation, cytokines, fatty acids, saponine, jiberellins, lectins, amino acids, proteins, etc. In the present review an attempt has been made to explore different aspects of Dolichos.